Tips for beating the heat ... and saving on home energy costs

Summer doesn't have to mean high utility bills to keep your home cool.

You can stay comfortable – and save money – with proper air conditioning maintenance and a few other basic steps to efficiently cool your home while easing the demand on your AC system.

The Minnesota Commerce Department and U.S. Department of Energy offer these tips:

Have your AC system inspected annually, and clean or replace the filters regularly, to ensure the best efficiency.

Set your thermostat to 78 degrees (or as
high as comfortable) when you're at home and need cooling. Use a
programmable thermostat to increase the temperature when you're away and lower it when you return home.

Use a ceiling fan only when you're in a room. AC combined with a ceiling fan allows you to raise the thermostat about four degrees with no loss of comfort. Remember to
turn off the fan when you leave the room because fans cool people, not rooms, by
creating a wind chill effect.

Limit the heat from your appliances.
Cook outside on a grill, and try not to use the washer, dryer or
dishwasher during the heat of the day. Use an exhaust fan when showering
and range hood when cooking to remove heat and humidity.

Move lamps, TVs and other appliances
away from your thermostat because the extra heat they generate will cause the air conditioner to run longer.

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